Steve McClaren will step up his search for new talent ahead of next week's trip to the Algarve.

The Boro boss remains determined to recruit a creative midfielder and a central defender ahead of what could be a defining season in the club's history.

One name that continues to be connected with Boro on a regular basis is Cameroon international Geremi, who is surplus to requirements at Chelsea.

McClaren made a determined bid to land the right-sided midfielder during the January transfer window, but the player declined to return to the Riverside, where he enjoyed a season-long loan spell in 2002/03.

Boro are also keeping a close eye on Newcastle's attempts to sign Fulham's Luis Boa Morte.

The Londoners have already rejected United's initial undisclosed offer, with a club spokesman saying: "Fulham Football Club can confirm that an official bid for Portugal international midfielder Luis Boa Morte has been received from Newcastle United FC.

"That bid has been rejected."

Boro do have money to spend after bidding #5.5m for Juventus midfielder Stephen Appiah, who opted to move to Fenerbahce instead.

That kind of money and the attraction of European football may be enough to attract Boa Morte, who is keen on a move away from Craven Cottage.

One player who won't be moving in the opposite direction is Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who has been linked with a move to Fulham in the London press.

The Dutchman's agent Humphrey Nijman said: "Jimmy has one more year to go on his contract at Middlesbrough and he is happy there.

"There has been no interest from Fulham and I think it is paper talk. Jimmy is ready and waiting for the new season to start."

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Boro quartet> James Morrison, Tony McMahon, David Wheater and Andrew Taylor will be hoping to play for England Under-19s in tonight's European Championship group B tie against Norway in Newry, Northern Ireland (ko 7pm).

After draws against France and Armenia, only a win will ensure England reach next week's semis.

McMahon said: "From the first two games, one thing we can improve on is keeping a clean sheet.

"We've drawn both 1-1, and I think there's lessons to be learned from both goals we conceded.

"I think we did enough to win the first game, we had the match under control and played well.

"I thought we did well again in the second game, the Armenians are a hard team.

They played to their strengths, and their goal came from a set-piece, which is disappointing for us."

McMahon and Morrison were both rested for Wednesday's game against the Armenians, and the 19-year-old admits he is itching to be involved tonight.

He added: "I wasn't happy to be on the bench as I want to play every game.

"But it's a squad game, there's 18 lads in the squad and obviously the coach has got to rotate so I was one of those that got rested.

"We'll look at Norway's strengths and weaknesses before the game, and cover everything really; likely team, formation, set-plays and so on. We really do our homework on teams, and hopefully that'll stand us in good stead on the night.

"We go out to win every game anyway so it's just another game for us.

"We know how Norway will play and they're a strong side, so we're not going to underestimate them. But hopefully we can get the win and go through."